Not Ordinary

************

CHAPTER 10

"Scarlett, it's me," he knocked and stood by the door.

"Come in."

Kayden entered her room and saw her sitting in a corner in her room. In her hands was a mini picture frame of their parents, happily smiling together in a field full of sunflowers.

"When was this taken?" He asked referring to the picture.

"I don't know. I took it before I left for college," Scarlett shrugged and wiped her eyes.

"Are you okay? Still feeling mad?" Kayden asked after sitting beside her.

"Well... Not really. But I'm more sad than mad. I just really wish that fire never happened," Scarlett admitted.

"Yeah, me too," Kayden agreed.

"Ayden. Do you think... Do you think we will be able to make it without mum and dad? Losing them is painful and... This kind of pain... Will it ever go? Can we live with it?"

Kayden sighed deeply. "It will take a lot of time but it will go eventually. You will only come to miss them. Till then, let's stick together like always. Let's look out for each other and care for each other. Okay?"

"Okay. Then I want in too," Scarlett suddenly said, confusing Kayden with her words.

"Want in on what?" He asked with furrowed brows.

"On the investigation. On the revenge. I also want to do something. You don't have to shoulder everything," she explained.

"Scarlett, listen–"

"If you are going to tell me not to, then don't cause I'm not listening to you," she shook her head.

"This is something serious. Dangerous even. I can't let you be part of that danger," Kayden tried to make her see reason.

"Why not? You are part of the danger. Mum and dad died because of that danger. I want to know what it is. I want to know who it is that caused that fire and why," Scarlett insisted and stood up.

Kayden stood as well. "You will know all these things but not by putting yourself at risk. I will inform you. Right now, all I want is for you to continue pursuing your dreams or your career."

"My dream is to see my parents happy. There is no use of it now that they are gone. Let me do this with you. Please," she pleaded.

"No, you can't. This is deeper than you think. Just let me handle it, okay?"

Scarlet had the attribute of being stubborn and a bit persistent if she wants to be. But so is he. His decision is final and he doesn't go back on it.

"You... You're a meanie," Scarlett stumped her feet before running into the bathroom and shutting the door behind her.

Kayden was stunned for a bit. He stood there trying to understand how he became mean just by being protective of his little sister.

He sighed and shook his head with a smile. She was throwing one of those mini tantrums. But he won't give in this time.

The case of their parents' death was not ordinary and he knows it. But she does not and will not understand because she is still ignorant of the truth.

But it is better this way. All better until the right time comes.

"I will be heading out soon to meet with the officer," Kayden informed her as he slightly leaned against the closed bathroom door.

"Why do you bother telling me something you don't want me to get involved in?" He heard her snort from behind the door.

He chuckled. "So that you don't go crying for your big brother if I stay out more than an hour or two," he teased her.

"Don't be cocky. Who is going to cry? If you want, don't come home till tomorrow morning or a week. See if I care."

"Is that so? I see. Then I will just take enough food that will last me for a week," Kayden joked.

"What?" Scarlett suddenly opened the door. "You can't do that when you know I can't cook. Who will make the meals? I will stave," she complained.

"Well now you know you will cry if I don't come back," Kayden flicked her forehead and laughed.

Scarlett covered her pained forehead with her palm and pouted while glaring at his back. "You are a big bully."

"You tell me that way too often. I'm immune to it. Anyways, there is enough food and snacks in the refrigerator. Be a good girl and fill that empty stomach of yours before I come back," he waved at her as he walked out of the room.

"Better be back before tomorrow or I'll file a missing report to the police," Scarlett called after him.

"Alright."

She was not really indifferent to the time he spend outside. She cared a lot. Especially now that it's just the two of them.

So she made sure he really won't stay out till the next day or a week.

It was evening soon and Kayden had not come back. He sent a text that he may be late so she should not wait for him and make sure to lock up properly.

Scarlett ate from the numerous packaged food that filled their refrigerator. But she felt so down now that it was just her at home. So she decided to go out for a bit.

She changed her clothes from that morning and left a note on the centre table.

'I'm going out. Don't worry I will be fine and I'll call you if something crops up. Bye(smiley face.)'

Scarlett then left for a high-end club in town. There were plenty of things to do. Like taking a walk in a park, sitting beside a lake or meeting with friends.

But none interested her. So she chose to drown her pain with a bit of alcohol.

The club was booming and packed full as it should be on a Friday night. Scarlett weaved her way through the crowd of people dancing to the beats of the loud music.

She made it to the bar and found an empty seat by the counter. She sat on it. As soon as she did, one of the many bartenders attended to her.

While she made her order, she had no idea that a certain handsome man had his eyes on her since she made her way into the club.